HELSBY finally bowed out of the EDF Junior Vase in the fourth round without six of their regular first team.

The players who did turn up acquitted themselves admirably against opposition from a league above.

They fell behind to an early penalty and a try but quickly retaliated with Tom Gregory running over.

Not long after, Eagle registered their second try from a quick tap penalty and two more home tries came just before the break. Helsby’s only reply came from a Kevin Ryder penalty and the half finished 28-8 to Eagle.

At the start of the second half, a good break by Helsby scrum half Lee Thomas, returning to the side only four weeks after knee surgery, helped Gregory score his second try of the day.

At 12 points down, Helsby were still in it but good play by the home side’s backs allowed them to finally get on top of a tiring Helsby side and run in a further four tries.

Helsby’s man of the match award was shared by Gregory and flanker Bruce Rigby.

Southport 19 Christleton 25

CHRISTLETON climbed to joint sixth in the Miller Homes League Four West with a hard-fought win against Southport.

Tight-five forwards Parkin, Taylor, Pryor, Wojciech and man of the match Cousins had the better of their opposite numbers, dominating the scrums and lineouts.

The backline was led by captain Chris Lightfoot who bossed the game with some good positional kicks.

Rory Ferguson showed yet again his lightning pace over 50 yards to cross the line, Iain Smith got on the scoresheet using his bulk to power over and Andy Coates used his speed to elude tackles to score.

Sam Dooley with a try, Dave Taylor with a conversion and Jim Taylor with a penalty were the other scorers.